‘Don’t ever run a marathon injured’ – Jenna

Durban North’s Jenna Challenor is gearing up to compete in the Maritzburg SPAR Women’s 10km/5km race that takes place at The Oval in Pietermaritzburg on Sunday, 23 August. Having spent the last three months recovering from an injury, the successful athlete, who has represented South Africa, is hoping to put on a decent time in her first race back.

Challenor was victorious in the PMB race in 2013 but missed defending her title last year. She will be up against some tough competition, including René Kalmer and up-and-coming Nolene Conrad, who will be venturing down to this race that takes runners on a very scenic, hilly route around the Alexandra Park precinct.

For more info on the SPAR Women’s 10km/5km race, please visit www.sparwomensrace.co.za.

Northglen News tracked her down last week to ask her a few questions.
What things don’t you like doing? Name two:
I don’t like to cook and I’m not a fan of drinking.

Tell us about a time when things didn’t go the way you wanted:
In May this year I ran the Prague marathon and to say things didn’t go right – they went completely left would sum it up. I had a chronic chest infection two weeks before I left for Prague and the antibiotics I were given ended up fixing the chest but flaring up my knee. I was out for two weeks before the marathon just trying to get to the start line in one piece. 
The race was run on cobble stones and my knee went at 9km, to say I ran in pain was an understatement, I basically ran on one leg. I finished in 12th in just under a minute slower than my personal best and wrecked my knee properly. It was a huge disappointment, I had trained so hard, I was strong and fit, I ran a 10km personal best just before I got sick and I was ready. Just very bad luck before the race I guess. Sport is unpredictable and sadly these things happen.

What do you think about when you are alone in your car?
I think about my three beautiful children and about how incredibly blessed I am to have them and my husband in my life. 

What’s your strongest memory of your childhood?
One of many is being put in a black bin as the wickets for my brothers’ cricket matches while they were meant to be babysitting me… got to love brothers, they made me tough and I thank them for that.

What do you dislike about South Africa? 
While I love Africa and it is an incredible place to live, what I don’t like is the lack of freedom, the fact that it’s not safe terrifies me. It’s not safe to run alone or let your kids be kids and walk to friends’ houses, et cetera.

What makes you angry? 
When my husband is late, but he is so much better now and hardly ever late any more – lucky me!

Besides your job, what are you most passionate about?
My time with my family. My all-time best is watching my daughters do sport, especially running and swimming, which they are really good at.

Name one misconception you think people have about you:
I think sometime when I race I am so focused that people may think I’m unfriendly.

Some advice to people who want to follow your path – what are three things you should never do in this business? 
Keep your dreams alive. Understand that to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination and dedication. Remember: all things are possible for those who believe. Where there is a will there is a way. 
Three things: Don’t worry about what others think as there are can be a lot of jealousy; just be humble; do your thing and have fun. Don’t ever think you are not good enough and can’t beat someone, because you can if you want to. Don’t ever run a marathon injured.

What do you envision yourself doing when you turn 80?
When I am 80 I will enjoying watching my children living their lives and hopefully also embracing my grandchildren as they grow up.